A Quick Chat With Sam Marks
Gadigal-based indie-rock artist, Sam Marks, returns with a stunning and emotive single ‘Wash Over Me’. Since debuting in 2020, the artist has been busy making waves and with four singles under his belt so far, he has carved out another laid-back, hazy indie-rock gem and will be making his very first festival appearance in December at Sunset Festival in Syndey. We thought we take a moment to get to know him better.
Can you tell us what this track means to you and what you want people to take away from it?
Wash Over Me is a personal reflection of my experiences with reality. I'd rather not get into too much detail about the meaning of the song so that people can create their own experience from the music, but in a fairly simple way, sometimes reality feels like it washes over me.
Who are some of your influences and why?
Kings Of Leon was a big influence for this track. I think that's pretty obvious. In terms of vocals in a general sense, Chris Cornell, Baden Donegal (Ocean Alley), Dylan Frost (Sticky Fingers). Whether or not there's a direct relationship to my own vocal style from these guys, I just really love the way they shape their tones. They're unique and have really engaging styles.
What's the creative process for you, from writing through to recording?
It's always different. Often it starts with a guitar riff or a progression. Lately though I've written down song ideas in my notes that I've come across when out and about in the world or watching a show or listening to other music. If you keep your mind and ears open, song ideas pop up all the time. So lately I've been writing songs after discovering a really cool idea. Wash Over Me started with the opening riff and grew from there. Usually I get the song pretty well written before taking it into production. I got these first songs of mine into demo's and then had some back and forth with Callum Howell (producer) before we jumped into the studio to get the production under way. It's never a smooth process in my experience and every song is different!
What do you think makes a great song?
There's many things that make many songs great. I don't think I've written any great songs myself but I'd say thinking outside the box while also giving people something familiar to hold onto is a good thing to think about when trying to explore new ideas. Being honest in your story telling and willing to try to be adventurous in your lyrics as well as the music. A unique idea or perspective is always very helpful.
If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why?
It would have been Chris Cornell, so I could learn from him in a vocal and storytelling sense. Otherwise it would most likely be Tame Impala (Kevin Parker) as he is basically a one man show when it comes to the processes of writing and producing music. I've always liked the idea of doing my own production. I'm a control freak when it comes to writing, so taking control of the production would be great as a solo artist. I'm planning to do my own fully produced song in the near future.
When not working on music, what other creative outlet/s do you have?
Not many outside music. I do a few other musical things outside of songwriting that take up the rest of my time, like working on my career in music for media and learning gypsy jazz. But I like to get outside and explore the world for inspiration and to stay fuelled up creatively.
Who are some local bands we should check out?
Shirina Holmatova, Jess Josie Lee, Jamieson, Loretta, Southey, Blake Cateris, Tim Conlon.
Winter or summer and why?
Summer baby! Very fond of ocean swims and summer adventures. Winter is growing on me though.
What else do you have planned for the year?
I'm playing my first music festival (Sunsets Festival) on December 3rd in Sydney's Northern Beaches. I've been writing a bunch of new songs to fill out the set for that. The other part of my plan is to begin recording a new single before the end of the year and prepare to get into more recordings early next year.
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